July 17, 2017

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A paroled murderer was sentenced to 44 years and four months in state prison today for committing armed robbery and initiating a police pursuit only four months after his release from prison.

Defendant

Charges

Sentence

Chandler Emile Graham, 54, Los Angeles

Found guilty by a jury on May 5, 2017 of felony:

(4) Second degree robbery

Assault with a firearm

Evading while driving recklessly

Unlawful taking of a vehicle

Possession of a firearm by a felon

Sentencing enhancement found true

Personal use of a firearm

Prior conviction

Second degree murder in 1995 in Orange County

44 years and four months in state prison

“Chandler Graham is a classic example of why the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) opposes the early release of convicted felons and dedicates so much time, effort, and energy into keeping lifers behind bars,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “We hope that the Board of Parole and the Governor consider the lessons learned from this case. Within months of the Board of Parole approving his early release, Graham was back to committing crimes and endangering lives. OCDA will continue to support public safety by fighting to keep criminals in jail,” said Rackauckas.

Parole

In May 2015, Graham was released on parole from his life sentence in prison after being convicted in 1995 of second degree murder.

In that case, the defendant had been contacted by a police officer while drinking in his car and fled from the officer. Graham crashed head-on into the victim’s car during a high-speed police pursuit, killing the man.

The murder victim was on his way to lunch with his wife of 40 years to celebrate his last day of work before retirement. He had three children, and had become a grandparent and great-grandparent.

OCDA opposed his parole, which was granted by the Board of Parole Hearings (Panel).

The Panel concluded at his December 2014 hearing that the inmate, “would not pose an unreasonable risk of danger or a threat to public safety if released from prison.”

Another factor in the Panel’s decision was Graham’s lack of prison rules violations during his 20 years served, which they considered significant.

Circumstances of the Case

On Sept. 21, 2015, four months after his release, Graham robbed a Lake Forest credit union teller at gunpoint while wearing a disguise, and fled in a vehicle he did not have permission to drive.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies located the defendant driving on Interstate 5 North soon after the robbery.

Graham initiated a high-speed pursuit, narrowly avoiding several cars and continuing after colliding with a curb.